2025 began with the most devastating wildfires So Cal has ever seen and was looking like one of those years where you couldn't wait for the calendar to turn over. The SCGA along with industry partners, Member Clubs, members, and golfers across the region decided not to concede but instead punch out to the fairway and give the region a chance at "par." While we're still far from holing out, homes and business are still rebuilding, communities still dispersed, the collective effort our golf community delivered $XXX,XXX to wildfire relief efforts. A testament that golf at its core is filled with people with incredible intentions and a desire to impact the surrounding community.
In addition to the incredible work done in the community, there's plenty of accomplishments to celebrate from our members and clubs on the course. Here's a look at what happened at courses across the Southland in 2025:
SCGA members continue to prove to be a collection of the most avid golfers out there, leading the charge in keeping tee sheets full across Southern California. Data on rounds plays shows that the average golfer plays between 12-15 rounds per year. SCGA members play three times as often, getting out on average 3 times a month. In fact, the 5.62 million rounds posted in 2025 by SCGA members alone represents about 1% of total rounds across the entire country.
Of course, we can't talk about the incredible volume of rounds being played without shouting out those of you that make the rest of us that only get out three times a month jealous. There were 17 SCGA members that posted over 300 rounds in 2025. Top honors among those go to Jan L. of Mission Hills Country Club, who posted a whopping 354 scores last year.
So where exactly are these millions of rounds being played? While plenty of courses have seen their fair share of full tee sheets the past few years, these courses rank among the most popular with the golfers that play the most frequently. Residents of San Diego and Los Angeles will probably find it no surprise that Coronado GC and Rancho Park GC made their way into the top five, and members of The CC of Rancho Bernardo, Mesa Verde CC, and Yorba Linda CC are certainly getting some value for their dues. Rounding out the top five of public courses are Encinitas Ranch GC, Torrey Pines North, and San Clemente GC, all with over 30,000 rounds posted on the year.
| Facility | Course | Number of Rounds |
| Coronado Golf Club | Coronado Golf Club | 35,095 |
| Rancho Park Golf Club | Rancho Park Golf Club | 32,113 |
| Encinitas Ranch Golf Course | Encinitas Ranch Golf Course | 31,837 |
| Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course | North | 30,404 |
| San Clemente Golf Club | San Clemente Golf Club | 30,248 |
Do you have to be a good golfer to be an SCGA member? Sure there are plenty of sticks competing for the SCGA Amateur Championships, but the average Handicap Index across the membership shows that there are plenty of reasons to join (and tournaments to win). And just because you're not an elite golfer today doesn't mean you can't make radical improvement. Just look at these members for an example of how much your game can improve in just one year:
| Handicap Range | Golfer | Club | Starting Handicap Index | Ending Handicap Index | Change |
| Scratch | Gavin C. | SCGA Junior Club | 1.1 | +3.5 | -4.6 |
| Hcp 1-9 | Dewayne G. | USGA/SCGA GC | 17.4 | 2 | -15.4 |
| Hcp 10+ | Brittney A. | Golfers of the Desert | 48 | 18.1 | -29.9 |
The SCGA has continued to welcome a record number of members as the game of golf continues to grow, with membership totals reaching over 227,000 in 2025. Of course, none of that would be possible without the work of our Member Clubs that create the communities these members call home. Here are ten of the clubs that welcomed the most new members last year:
| Club Name | Growth |
| Valencia Golf Players Club | 93 |
| Balboa Park Men's Golf Club | 76 |
| Canyon Lake Family GC | 63 |
| Riverwalk Golf Club | 59 |
| La Valle Coastal Club | 54 |
| Sierra Lakes Golf Club | 53 |
| Soule Park Golf Club | 53 |
| Costa Mesa Golf Club | 52 |
| Waves and Wedges | 51 |
| Chester Washington | 49 |
That's not to mention that every year, dozens of brand new communities of golfers form and create even more opportunities to golfers to play competitively. These are the largest clubs that formed in 2025:
| Club Name | Members |
| Pine Glen Nine Ladies Golf Club | 80 |
| Beverly Hills Golf Club | 75 |
| The Crossings at Carlsbad Golf Club | 47 |
| Copa Galenos Mexicali | 43 |
| Amonos al Golf! | 43 |
| Going Low Golf Club | 33 |
| Top Player Club - The Lakes at El Segundo | 32 |
| Los Santos GC | 29 |
| Baja Golfers | 29 |
| Los Borrachos Golf Club | 28 |
At the heart of every one of these numbers is something more important than stats: our members. Every round posted, every club formed, every event played, and every milestone reached reflects a community that exemplifies what makes golf so great. Whether you joined this year or have been part of the SCGA for decades, your membership fuels the programs, services, and experiences that make Southern California one of the most vibrant golf communities in the country. If you’re not yet a member, make sure 2026 is the year you join the community and elevate the game for you and all of Southern California.